Ancient, Luke Barley‘s comprehensive and “beautiful” (Merlin Hanbury-Tenison) account of Britain’s woodland, has been shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize 2026.

Ancient was shortlisted for the Nature Writing category, making the cut from the original longlist of 68 books across the Nature Writing, Conservation Writing, and the three Children’s Prizes.

The prize winners will be announced on Thursday 17th September 2026.

Ancient woods are Britain’s richest habitats: rare fragments of our landscape that teem with life from soil to canopy. They live in our collective imagination as quiet places, best left pristine and untouched. But their story has always been one of interdependence with people. Now, as ever, these woods – including remnants of the primeval ‘wildwood’ – need the thoughtful intervention of humans to survive.

With the benefit of over twenty years’ experience rehabilitating ancient woodland – from the Lakes to the Peak District, by way of suburban London’s hidden gems – Luke Barley brings us deep into this hidden world to reveal majestic oaks, freshly coppiced hazels, endangered limes, and the passionate individuals tending them for future generations. As modern woodlanders judiciously cut and fell, the flood of fresh light brings new life and hope to these irreplaceable natural jewels.

With clear-sighted passion and lyrical prose, Barley reveals what we stand to gain, as individuals and as a society, by rekindling our ancient connection with these special places.

Ancient is out now. Grab your copy here or, better, via your local bookstore or bookshop.org.